cheerful

adjective

cheer·​ful ˈchir-fəl 

1

a

: full of good spirits : merry

a cheerful host

b

: ungrudging

cheerful obedience

2

: conducive to cheer : likely to dispel gloom or worry

sunny cheerful room

cheerfully

ˈchir-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

cheerfulness

ˈchir-fəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• bright
• optimistic
• cheery
• sunny
• upbeat
• smiling
• buoyant

Examples of cheerful in a Sentence

She has a cheerful outlook on life.

He seems a little more cheerful today.

Recent Examples on the Web

On Instagram, users have flooded the comments with messages of hope and support for the cheerful dog. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025

Pair them with a white beadboard backsplash and mint cabinets for a bright, cheerful space. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025

Anna Faris portrays the cheerful, happy, sometimes ditzy, sometimes perceptive series lead, Cindy. —Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025

Both love moist, rich soil, and dill's cheerful yellow flowers will attract ladybugs and green lacewings, which feed on the pests that attack spinach. —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see cheer entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for cheerful

• fearful
• tearful

Kids Definition

cheerful

adjective

cheer·​ful ˈchi(ə)r-fəl 

1

a

: full of good spirits

a cheerful outlook

b

: willing sense 3

cheerful obedience

2

: pleasantly bright

a sunny cheerful room

cheerfully

-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

cheerfulness

-fəl-nəs 

noun